《Forsaken Hunter》 Chapter 1 – The Unforgivable Past Inside the Red Gate A thunderous roar shook the battlefield. The giant serpent, its obsidian scales glistening under the dim dungeon light, lunged forward, fangs bared. A single bite could tear a man in half. But Renizo Mark stood firm. Silver hair fluttering, his piercing blue eyes burned with unwavering focus. A brilliant blue flame erupted from his sword as he dashed forward, slicing through the air with inhuman speed. The serpent struck, its tail whipping around like a massive wrecking ball. Renizo twisted mid-air, dodging by a hair''s breadth before landing on the beast''s back. "Now burn." With a fierce cry, his sword ignited in blue flames. A single downward slash¡ªBOOM!¡ªa fiery explosion engulfed the monster. The dungeon trembled. The beast screeched in agony as its massive body was torn apart, blackened scales crumbling into ashes. Then, with one final shudder, it collapsed. The dungeon boss was slain. A second later, the Red Gate behind him flickered, signaling the dungeon''s completion. Renizo, now standing amidst a sea of charred remains, sheathed his sword with a flick of his wrist. --- Outside the Dungeon ¨C The Youngest S-Rank Hunter The moment Renizo stepped out, cameras flashed, and microphones were shoved in his face. A crowd had gathered¡ªnews reporters, fans, and curious onlookers. "Renizo Mark, you just cleared a Red Gate alone! How does it feel to be the youngest S-Rank hunter in Lebius Country?" Renizo glanced at the camera, his expression unreadable. His cold, indifferent gaze sent shivers down the spines of those watching. "This is nothing," he muttered before walking past the reporters. At just 18 years old, he was already an S-Rank hunter¡ªa legend in the making. --- A Small Restaurant in Vano City Inside a small, dimly lit restaurant, a young man in his twenties sat at a counter, watching the live broadcast on a dusty television. His fingers gripped a rag, frozen mid-wipe. Renizo Mark¡ªthe hunter, the genius, the country''s rising star¡ªwas on screen. The man smiled faintly. His silver hair and blue eyes were the same. But while Renizo stood in the spotlight, he was here¡ªscrubbing plates in a dingy restaurant. "Bastard!" SMACK! A metal pan struck his head. Beno Mark winced. "Quit gawking at the TV and clean the damn dishes!" barked his boss, a grumpy middle-aged man. "Yes, boss¡­" Beno muttered, rubbing the sore spot. My name is Beno Mark. I''m 22 years old. And yes, Renizo Mark is my younger brother. But we are no longer close. --- Flashback ¨C A Brother''s Burden There was a time when Renizo and I were just brothers. No hunters, no awakenings, no tragedies. Just two kids running through the fields near our home, our parents watching with soft smiles. Our mother, Elena Mark, was gentle and kind. She had a voice that could soothe even the worst nightmares. Our father, Lucas Mark, was a strict but loving man who always told us, "A family should stand together, no matter what." I believed in those words. I believed in them until everything fell apart. Renizo and I were raised equally¡ªat least, in the beginning. We shared everything, from food to clothes, even the tiny room in our house. But then, when Renizo was 10 years old, he awakened. The moment it happened, everything changed. Our parents'' eyes sparkled with pride. "My son is a hunter! He has a gift!" I remember standing in the corner of the room, watching as our father ruffled Renizo''s hair with a look I had never seen before. Pride. Admiration. Hope. For the first time, I felt invisible. At first, I tried to push the feelings aside. He was my brother. I was happy for him. But over time, things got worse. Our parents talked about him constantly¡ªhis potential, his training, his future as a great hunter. I became the shadow of a rising star. Their smiles toward me became less frequent. The warmth in their voices when they called my name began to fade. One night, I overheard them talking. "Beno... he''s different from Renizo. We can''t expect much from him." "He''ll have to find his own way." It felt like a knife in my chest. I wasn''t jealous of Renizo''s power. I was jealous of the way they looked at him. Eventually, I couldn''t take it anymore. At 16, I left home. I thought, Maybe if I disappear, they''ll realize they still need me. But they didn''t come looking. Instead, two years later¡­ I got the news. --- The Night Everything Fell Apart I returned home, breathless and panicked. But I was too late. Our father was dead¡ªkilled in an unknown accident. Our mother had disappeared, her whereabouts unknown. Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. And Renizo¡­ I found him in our house, standing alone in the dark, staring at nothing. He didn''t react when I entered. Didn''t speak. When I called his name, his head slowly turned toward me. His eyes weren''t the same anymore. Gone was the little brother I had played with. The innocent child who once ran beside me through the fields. Instead, I saw a boy who had lost everything. A boy whose heart had turned to ice. "You left." His voice was hollow. "You weren''t here." Guilt crushed my chest like a boulder. I tried to make up for it. I worked multiple jobs, earning money to support him. Even if he refused to speak to me, even if he ignored my presence, I made sure he had everything he needed. I watched from the sidelines as he grew into a genius. Then, at 15, he got a sponsorship from Rose Guild. At 17, he became an A-Rank hunter. At 18, he was an S-Rank¡ªthe youngest in the country. That should have made me proud. But the day he left home¡­ He didn''t thank me. He didn''t say goodbye. Instead, he turned to me with those same cold eyes and said: "I will never forgive you for what you did to our parents." "If you ever try to contact me again¡­ I will kill you." Then, he walked away. Leaving me standing in the dark. Alone. --- Present Day Beno''s hands trembled as he gripped the dirty rag. He blinked, snapping out of the painful memories. He looked up at the television screen, where Renizo Mark stood tall, surrounded by cameras and reporters. The youngest S-Rank hunter. A legend. A hero. And to him¡­ I was nothing. "I''m living only for my younger brother." But the sad truth was¡­ He didn''t want me in his life anymore. --- Vano City ¨C A Sudden Disaster Beno sighed, wiping his forehead as he stepped outside. The evening breeze was cool, a stark contrast to the turmoil in his heart. The only possession he had was an old bicycle¡ªthe same one he had bought as a gift for Renizo. Renizo had thrown it back at him, saying he didn''t want anything from him. Beno tightened his grip on the handlebars. Old memories were like ghosts¡ªunwanted, but impossible to shake off. He pedaled down the streets of Vano City, heading home. But then¡ª BOOM! A deafening explosion tore through the air. What the hell?! Beno skidded to a halt, eyes widening as cracks formed in the sky. A Gate was breaking open. --- E-Rank Gate Disaster [Emergency Alert: E-Rank Gate has opened near Vano City''s main road. Citizens, take cover immediately.] The announcement blared from speakers, sending people into a panic. Beno watched in horror as dozens of goblins emerged from the portal. Their green skin gleamed under the streetlights, and each one clutched a crude weapon¡ªa bat, a dagger, a rusted axe. "Shit!" Beno yanked his bike around, but before he could escape¡ª THUD! Something slammed into his back, sending him flying. His bicycle crashed, skidding across the pavement. Pain shot through his ribs, but there was no time to react. A goblin loomed over him, its yellow eyes gleaming with bloodlust. I need to move¡ª! He rolled aside just as the goblin''s bat came crashing down, missing his head by inches. Heart pounding, he stumbled to his feet. He wasn''t a hunter. He had no powers. He was just an ordinary man. And now, he was going to die. --- Underground Chase Beno ran. The goblins shrieked, giving chase. His legs burned, his breath came in ragged gasps, but he forced himself forward, sprinting toward an underground subway entrance. One goblin managed to slip past him¡ª Beno gritted his teeth and shoulder-checked the creature, sending it tumbling down the stairs. He jumped after it, landing hard, but there was no time to stop. More goblins followed, dozens pouring in. Beno sprinted through the dimly lit tunnel. Then¡ª Dead end. He skidded to a stop. Walls loomed before him. Behind him, the goblins cackled, their weapons clanging against the concrete. Then, the worst thing happened. The Goblin Giant stepped forward. A hulking, monstrous version of the others. Its massive battle axe scraped against the ground, sparks flying. Beno''s breathing turned shallow. His hands trembled. There was no escape. The goblin horde charged. The Goblin Giant raised its axe high¡ª And then¡ª SLASH! --- [End of Chapter 1] Chapter 2: Broken Gate Incident Scene Shift ¨C Libeus Government Agent A female agent sat at her station in the Libeus government office, her fingers trembling as she held the comms device. The atmosphere in the room was thick with tension. "Anyone, please! A broken Gate has opened near Veno Road! I repeat, a broken E-rank Gate has emerged at Veno Road! We need immediate assistance!" she shouted, her voice barely concealing the urgency. The entire department fell silent for a moment before the officers scrambled to relay the message to hunters and guilds. Scene Shift ¨C Moonlight Guild A group of hunters sat in a dimly lit room, laughing and drinking, when the guild operator suddenly received an alert. The large screen on the wall flickered, displaying the emergency message. "Shit, damn it! Another one?" a hunter cursed, shaking his head. The guild leader groaned, rubbing his temples. "Send a few E-rank hunters. It''s just a broken Gate. That should be enough to handle it." The room relaxed, assuming the situation was under control. Scene Shift ¨C Rose Guild A group of elite hunters stood in a training hall, refining their combat skills when a voice called out. "Hey, Renzo! I heard a broken Gate just opened near Veno Road," a young hunter said, grinning. Renzo Mark, dressed in a dark combat suit, froze for a moment. Then, with a cold smirk, he scoffed. "Good. Maybe my worthless brother will die there. Saves me the trouble of seeing his face again." The air grew tense, but before anyone could respond, Sophia, an S-rank hunter with long silver hair, chuckled. She leaned against a nearby table, watching Reinzo with an amused expression. "Oh, that''s cold. You really do hate your brother, don''t you?" she teased, her eyes gleaming. "But I have to admit, I love seeing you angry. That face of yours is something else." Renzo''s expression didn''t change, remaining emotionless as he walked away. Scene Shift ¨C Noak Guild The Noak Guild''s main hall bustled with activity as hunters gathered for assignments. The Guild Master, Flanker, an S-rank hunter with a scarred face, sighed as he heard the emergency call. "Again? Send the low-rank hunters. It''ll be good practice for them," he said nonchalantly. However, before the orders were finalized, a voice interrupted. "Wait... Luna already left for that place," said Mora, a C-rank hunter, concerned. "What?!" another hunter exclaimed. "She''s only a D-rank. There was no reason for her to go!" Mora nodded grimly. "I asked her why, and she said someone important to her was in danger." The room fell silent. "Hmph¡­ That girl," Flanker muttered, shaking his head. --- Scene Shift ¨C Back in the Subway A Giant Goblin roared, lifting its massive axe before swinging it down with terrifying force. A sharp, painful scream echoed. Or so Beno thought. But when he opened his eyes¡­ there was no pain. "You idiot, keep your eyes open!" Beno''s vision focused, and there she was¡ªLuna. She gritted her teeth as she clashed her sword against the goblin''s axe, struggling to hold her ground. Her arms trembled, her breath came in short gasps, but she refused to back down. Beno could barely breathe. His entire body was frozen in terror. "Luna¡­" he whispered. "Stay behind me," she ordered. "O-Okay¡­" Beno''s voice was weak, fear evident in his expression. The goblin swung its axe once more, but Luna sidestepped, slicing through its chest in a swift motion. Blood splattered onto her armor, yet she didn''t flinch. She moved like a phantom, cutting through dozens of goblins, her sword glowing faintly under the dim subway lights. Beno watched, mesmerized. She was powerful. But the fight wasn''t over. As the last goblin fell, Beno felt his knees give out. He collapsed onto the floor, shaking uncontrollably. Luna turned to him and sighed. "You''re safe now, idiot." Before she could react, Beno lunged forward, wrapping his arms around her, trembling like a scared child. "I-I thought I was going to die¡­" His voice broke, his body shaking. Luna stiffened. Her face turned red as she struggled to push him away. "Stop crying like a kid! Be mature already!" she scolded, though her voice was softer than before. As they exited the subway, a horrifying sight awaited them. Hundreds of goblins surrounded the area. Luna''s eyes widened in horror. "Shit¡­ we''re done for." Beno, already wounded and bleeding, felt his vision blur. The goblins'' aura pressed down on him like a crushing weight. His lungs burned as he gasped for air. "L-Luna¡­ I¡­ I can''t¡­ breathe¡­" he choked out, his body growing numb. His eyes rolled back, and he collapsed. Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. Luna panicked. "No! Stay with me, Beno!" She grabbed him and dragged him toward a safer spot. Then, the ground trembled. A deafening roar echoed through the streets as the Goblin King emerged. Its massive body cast a terrifying shadow over them. Its presence alone was enough to make the weak collapse in fear. Luna clenched her sword tighter. If she died here¡­ Beno would die too. She charged forward. The Goblin King let out another earth-shaking roar, but just as it swung its massive claw¡ª A thunderous screech filled the air. From above, a massive eagle covered in blue flames swooped down, engulfing the goblins in a fiery explosion. A helicopter circled the battlefield, media cameras capturing every moment. The eagle landed, and from its back, a man leapt down, his aura radiating immense power. Renzo Mark. S-rank Hunter. Without hesitation, Renzo unsheathed his blue flame sword and walked toward the Goblin King. Then¡­ it was over in seconds. One by one, the goblins were slaughtered. Renzo didn''t even break a sweat. A one-sided massacre. As he turned to leave, his eyes landed on Beno''s unconscious body His expression darkened. His blood boiled. He drew his sword and swung it down, aiming to kill his own brother. But¡ªCLANG! Luna blocked his attack. "Are you insane?!" she shouted. "He didn''t come looking for you! He just got caught in this mess!" Renzo''s expression remained cold. "Lies. I told you before¡­ if I see him again, I will kill him." Without hesitation, he attacked Luna. She fought bravely, defending Beno with everything she had. But¡­ she was too weak. Renzo blasted a fireball toward Beno. Luna threw herself in front of him, shielding his body. Her armor shattered. Her back burned. She collapsed. Renzo grabbed Beno by the neck, lifting him effortlessly. Beno''s eyes fluttered open. His vision was blurry, but he recognized the face before him. "My dear brother¡­ how are you?" Beno whispered weakly, smiling despite the pain. Renzo''s heart clenched. Tears slipped from his eyes before he could stop them. "Why¡­ am I crying?" he muttered. "Why does my heart ache¡­? No¡­ no, this is¡­ what it is¡­" Franky, a powerful guild master, stepped in. "Enough, Renzo," he warned. Renzo let go of Beno and turned away, masking his emotions with cold indifference. "Pathetic," he muttered before disappearing into the night. Beno, barely conscious, turned his gaze toward the darkened sky. His vision blurred, and the cold night air bit into his wounds. Blood trickled down his lips as he let out a weak, trembling breath. "Why do you hate me so much¡­ Renzo¡­ my dear brother?" His voice barely carried past his lips, the weight of his words heavy with sorrow. His fingers twitched, trying to reach for something¡ªsomeone¡ªbut there was nothing but emptiness. His body, battered and torn, could no longer hold on. A violent cough wracked his chest, forcing more blood from his mouth. The sound was weak, almost insignificant against the chaos surrounding him. His heart pounded erratically, struggling to keep him awake. But the pain¡­ the exhaustion¡­ it was too much. Darkness crept into the edges of his vision, swallowing the world piece by piece. The last thing he saw was Luna''s desperate, tear-filled eyes reaching for him. Then¡ªnothing. Beno collapsed. The muffled voices of healers rushed toward him, but his body had already gone limp. Luna clutched his hand tightly, her own wounds ignored. Her fingers trembled as she gritted her teeth, fighting back tears. "Don''t you dare die on me, Beno¡­!" she whispered, her voice cracking as she pressed her forehead against his cold hand. The murmurs around them grew louder. Then¡ªan explosion of gasps. A nurse rushed into the emergency room, flipping on the television. Beno still didn''t regain consciousness It''s been more than a week he still in Bed Then suddenly "Breaking News! In a shocking development, S-Rank Hunter Renzo Mark has disappeared! Along with 117 other hunters, he was last seen entering a Violent Gate¡­ but has yet to return!" The room fell silent. Luna''s grip on Beno tightened as she turned toward the screen, her heart sinking. "No way¡­ Renzo¡­ disappeared?" She looked back at Beno. His breathing was slow¡ªunsteady. His body was already fighting to stay alive. His brother was gone. Luna could feel it¡ªBeno would break all over again. And this time, she didn''t know if he would recover. [End of Chapter 2]. If you enjoyed the chapter, don''t forget to leave a like and comment! Your support keeps the story going and motivates me to write more! Let me know your thoughts¡ªwhat do you think will happen next? Stay tuned for the next chapter! Chapter 3: The Shattered Dream A Dream of the Past Darkness surrounded Beno Mark. At first, there was nothing¡ªjust a void swallowing him whole. Then, a faint light flickered, and suddenly, he found himself standing in a golden wheat field under the warm glow of the afternoon sun. The gentle breeze carried the laughter of two boys playing, their shadows dancing across the swaying grass. Beno''s heart clenched as he recognized the smaller boy running toward him, his messy brown hair bouncing with each step. Renzo. "Brother!" Renzo called, his youthful voice filled with joy. Beno felt his chest tighten. Renzo was young¡ªaround ten years old, just as he had been all those years ago. In his tiny hands, he held a wooden sword, grinning up at his older brother. "I love you, brother!" Renzo declared, his bright eyes shimmering with admiration. "You''re my hero!" Beno''s heart swelled with warmth. He crouched down, placing a firm hand on Renzo''s head, ruffling his hair. "You can count on me, my dear brother," Beno said with a smile. But the moment he said those words, the sky darkened. The wheat field wilted into lifeless gray. The warm sun turned into a blood-red moon, casting eerie shadows across the landscape. A new scene unfolded. Beno saw Renzo again¡ªbut this time, he was not a child. He was older, standing in a dark battlefield. His figure was tense, his aura crackling with violent energy. Facing him was Luna, her long golden hair disheveled, her blue eyes fierce with determination. "Renzo! Don''t fight her¡ªyou''ll hurt her!" Beno shouted, but his voice echoed uselessly in the void. The battlefield trembled as Renzo''s sword clashed with Luna''s, sparks flying with each brutal strike. Then, without warning, the world tilted. Beno felt something cold grip his throat. His feet dangled above the ground. He choked, struggling for air. Renzo had lifted him by the neck. His once warm brown eyes were now filled with seething hatred. His grip was iron-tight, suffocating. "I hate you," Renzo snarled. "You pathetic, weak trash." Beno''s vision blurred. His chest burned as he clawed at Renzo''s arm. "Why¡­?" he gasped. "Why do you hate me so much, my brother?" Renzo''s lips curled into a twisted smirk. SNAP. Everything shattered. Beno shot up from his hospital bed, drenched in sweat, gasping for air. His chest rose and fell rapidly as his eyes darted around the dark hospital room. "Where¡­ am I?" he murmured, his voice hoarse. The walls were unfamiliar. A faint beeping from the heart monitor echoed in the silence. The clock on the wall read 12:43 AM¡ªmidnight. He ran a hand through his hair, his fingers trembling. "A dream¡­ just a dream," he whispered. But why did it feel so real? He turned to his side and noticed the empty chair beside his bed. Luna wasn''t there. No doctors. No nurses. He was alone. Beno forced himself to move. His muscles ached, but he ignored the pain, dragging himself out of bed. His bare feet hit the cold floor as he staggered toward the hallway. His legs felt weak, but he needed to walk. Needed air. As he approached the waiting room, he noticed a faint blue glow illuminating the walls. The hospital TV was still on, displaying a breaking news report. "This marks the second day since the catastrophic event at Gate 07. The death toll continues to rise, with 177 hunters confirmed missing." Beno''s blood ran cold. The screen showed profiles of the missing hunters. Their names, ranks, and guild affiliations flashed one by one. Hunter #176 ¨C Jason Keller, B-rank, Steel Fang Guild. Hunter #177 ¨C Elise Mare, A-rank, Shadow Fang Guild. Then, the news anchor''s voice turned solemn. "Among the missing are several high-ranking hunters. S-Rankers Sophia, from the Rose Guild, and George, from Moonlight, have also disappeared without a trace." Beno exhaled sharply. Sophia? George? They were among the strongest hunters in the world. If they were gone¡­ His gut twisted. "And lastly¡­" The moment the anchor spoke again, Beno felt the floor beneath him crumble. "Our famous and most powerful S-Rank Hunter¡­ Renzo Mark." Beno''s world shattered. His breath hitched. His vision blurred. "What¡­?" His voice was barely a whisper. "No¡­ that''s¡­ impossible." This had to be a mistake. A prank. He turned to Luna, who had just walked in with a doctor. She froze at the sight of him, her expression shifting from relief to devastation as she followed his gaze to the TV. Beno turned slowly to face her, his hand shaking as he pointed at the screen. "This¡­ this is a prank, right?" His voice wavered, desperate. "It''s all just a nightmare, right?" Luna didn''t answer. She simply stared at him, her lips trembling, eyes brimming with unshed tears. Beno''s breathing grew ragged. His knees buckled, and he collapsed to the floor. "This isn''t real," he whispered. "It''s not real¡­" He clenched his fists, striking his own arm, his own face, again and again. "I just have to wake up!" he choked out. "Then I can see him again¡ªsee my brother smiling on TV, safe and sound. My Renzo¡­" Tears poured down his face, his body trembling violently. Luna rushed to him, wrapping her arms around him tightly. "It''s okay¡­" she murmured, her own voice breaking. "You don''t have to be strong right now." Beno sobbed into her embrace. The doctors and nurses hesitated to intervene. They had seen many patients break down before¡ªbut Beno''s pain was different. It wasn''t just grief. It was something deeper. A wound that might never heal. That night, Beno cried in Luna''s arms, unable to accept the truth. The Next Day (Afternoon) Beno sat by the hospital window, staring blankly at the city skyline. He had refused to eat. His skin had turned pale, his cheeks hollow. His once sharp eyes were now dull and lifeless, dark circles forming beneath them. Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Luna stood beside him, her heart aching at his state. "Beno¡­ please eat something," she pleaded. "I promise, I''ll find your brother." Beno''s empty gaze slowly shifted to her. "You don''t have to do this, Luna," he said, his voice cold, emotionless. "This is my fight." Luna flinched. "How?" she asked. "You''re not even a hunter." Beno''s fists clenched. "I don''t care." His voice grew sharp. "No matter what¡­ I will find him. With my own strength." Luna watched him in stunned silence. She knew he was speaking from rage, from grief. But deep down, she also knew¡ªhe meant every word. Beno lay in bed, his body motionless, exhaustion pressing down on him like an unbearable weight. His breaths were shallow, his face pale, and the shadows under his eyes made it clear¡ªhe was breaking. Luna sat beside him, watching silently. Her fingers trembled as she reached out, hesitating before finally running them gently through his hair. It was the only thing she could do. The only comfort she could offer. Her throat tightened. He looked just like he did back then¡ªalone, hurt, yet still trying to hold everything together. "You are now just like be me¡­ back when I was called Witch ,"she whispered, her voice almost breaking. Memories surfaced, unbidden, pulling her back to a time when she was just a lonely girl, and he was the first person to ever reach out to her. Luna''s Flashback Luna sat at her desk, her hands gripping the edges of her worn-out notebook. The classroom bustled with chatter and laughter, but none of it reached her. It never did. She had long since learned that silence was safer. A whisper. Then a snicker. "She''s here again." "Demon girl." "Why does she even come to school?" Luna lowered her head, letting her golden hair curtain her face. She wished she could disappear, wished she could stop being different. She had awakened at an early age, and from that moment, Her friend and classmate decided she was cursed. A witch. A monster. A freak. She always sat alone¡ªalways ate alone. Even the teacher ignored her presence as if acknowledging her would bring misfortune. A group of three students stood by the classroom window, laughing amongst themselves. They pointed in her direction, their voices hushed yet sharp. "She probably talks to ghosts at night." "I heard she cursed someone last week." Luna''s hands tightened into fists beneath her desk. It didn''t matter how much she tried to ignore them¡ªthe words still hurt. But then¡­ A shadow fell over her desk. Luna looked up and met a pair of bright, determined eyes. Beno Mark. The boy stood tall, his hands planted firmly on his hips, exuding confidence as if he had just made the most important decision of his life. His voice rang through the classroom like a declaration. "No way! She''s not a witch¡ªshe''s an angel!" The room went silent. The three kids by the window gawked at him, stunned. Beno leaned forward slightly, a grin spreading across his face as he stared at Luna. "You''re way too cute to be a demon." Luna blinked, completely frozen. No one had ever spoken to her like that before. No one had ever defended her. A soft laugh slipped from Beno''s lips. "Seriously, guys, look at her! She''s like one of those cool, powerful heroes in stories¡ªan angel with golden hair and magic powers!" The moment those words left his mouth, something inside Luna cracked. Her vision blurred. Warmth. Happiness. Acceptance. For the first time, someone looked at her and didn''t see a curse. She felt something foreign stir in her chest. Hope. That day, Luna stopped being alone. And from that moment on, Beno Mark became her very first friend. Early Morning ¨C The Empty Bed The first light of dawn filtered through the hospital room, painting faint golden streaks on the cold floor. The steady rhythm of machines hummed softly, the air thick with the lingering scent of antiseptic. Luna stirred in her chair, her body aching from the awkward position she had slept in. Slowly, she blinked awake, feeling the weight of exhaustion pressing down on her. Then, her eyes fell on the hospital bed. Empty. Her breath caught in her throat. The sheets were slightly crumpled, as if someone had just gotten up. The IV line dangled loosely from the stand, droplets of blood staining the white fabric. His hospital gown was left behind, neatly folded on the table. A cold chill ran down her spine. "Beno?" Luna whispered, her voice trembling. She shot up from the chair, her heart hammering against her ribs. Her eyes darted across the room¡ªhe was gone. Panic surged through her. Luna rushed out of the room, her footsteps echoing in the empty hallway. She grabbed a nearby nurse. "Did you see the patient from Room 306 leave?" The nurse shook her head. "No, but¡­ his condition wasn''t stable. He shouldn''t be moving around." Luna''s chest tightened. He was barely able to stand yesterday. Where did he go? She sprinted toward the hospital entrance, pushing past the automatic doors. The cold morning air hit her face as she scanned the surroundings. The streets were quiet, only a few pedestrians walking by. Her hands clenched. Beno left on his own. She didn''t know how, she didn''t know where¡ªbut she knew why. He had gone to find Renzo. A deep ache settled in her chest. "You idiot..." she whispered, eyes burning with emotion. As the city slowly woke up, one thought consumed her mind¡ª She had to find him before it was too late... [End of Chapter 3] "Beno has finally taken his first step into the unknown, driven by nothing but his desperation to find Renzo. But is he ready to face what lies ahead? What dangers await beyond the hospital walls? Leave a comment below! What do you think about Beno''s decision? Was it reckless or brave? Don''t forget to drop a Power Stone if you''re excited for the next chapter! Your support keeps the story going! See you no Next Chapter.... Chapter 4: The Vanishing Gate and the Rising Star Beno stumbled through the dimly lit streets, his body aching from exhaustion and his mind clouded with worry. His wounds throbbed, but the pain paled in comparison to the weight in his chest. Every step felt heavier as he clutched his side, his breath ragged. Eventually, he found himself near a quiet park, where the streetlights flickered under the late-night sky. An old man sat on a worn-out bench, flipping through a slightly crumpled newspaper. His silver hair shone under the lamp''s glow, and his deep-set eyes carried the wisdom of years past. Beno, dragging his feet, slumped onto the bench beside him. The Vanishing Gate Incident Beno turned his gaze toward the newspaper in the old man''s hands. The headlines were bold and grim: "March 20, 2025 - The Unknown Gate Emerges! Hunters Missing Without a Trace!" His heart pounded. Swallowing the lump in his throat, he turned to the old man and asked in a low, shaky voice, "Sir¡­ what exactly happened on March 20?" The old man sighed, folding the paper on his lap. His voice was steady but tinged with unease. "It was a disaster, one the world has never seen before." He cleared his throat before continuing. "An unknown gate appeared¡ªunlike any seen before. Even the weakest of hunters could feel the ominous, suffocating aura it emitted. It wasn''t like the usual S-rank gates, no... this was something else entirely. It sent a shiver down the spine of even the strongest hunters." Beno listened intently, his fists clenching. "The Libeus government immediately sent its best hunters to investigate. The Hunters'' Guild assembled a team¡ª117 elite hunters, enough to shut down even a catastrophic S-rank gate. And leading them..." The old man paused, glancing at Beno. "Was Renizo Mark." Beno''s breath hitched. "As soon as they stepped inside the gate..." The old man''s voice dropped lower, his fingers tightening on the newspaper. "They vanished." "Vanished?" Beno echoed, his voice barely above a whisper. "Yes. The entire team disappeared in an instant. No signs of life, no remains, nothing. The gate remained open, but it was eerily silent¡ªlike it had swallowed them whole. It was as if they never existed." Beno trembled. "News of the incident spread like wildfire across the globe. Every major government¡ªUSA, South Korea, India, Australia¡ªdemanded full reports. Scientists and researchers flooded Libeus, trying to understand what had happened, but there were no answers. Just one question¡ªwhat kind of gate was it? And where did it take those hunters?" The world was watching. The world was waiting. And Beno was breaking. A Brother''s Sorrow Tears welled in his eyes. He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to stay composed, but his emotions betrayed him. "It''s been a week... I hope they''re okay..." Beno whispered, his voice trembling. The old man turned to him, a hint of sympathy in his wise eyes. "Do you have someone in there?" Beno hesitated before nodding. "My brother¡­ he was in that mission." The old man''s expression changed. Shock flickered across his face, but it quickly softened into sadness. "I see..." He let out a slow breath. "It must be unbearable for you." Beno''s tears finally fell. "I''m weak. I''m nothing. I couldn''t stop him from going. I couldn''t protect him. And now, he''s gone." His voice cracked. "I''m not even awakened. How can I save him? How can I help him when I have no power at all?" His chest tightened, as if the weight of his powerlessness was crushing him. The old man studied Beno for a long moment before speaking. His voice was calm, steady. "Do you know, young one¡­ that every strong hunter was once a weak human?" Beno sniffed, looking up. "Strength isn''t something you''re born with. It''s something you forge through hardship, through suffering, through relentless effort. Your brother walked his own path, and now you must walk yours. But the question is... do you have the will to fight for it?" Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings. Beno stared at him. "Power isn''t given," the old man continued, his gaze piercing. "It''s earned. If you want to stand beside your brother again, you must rise. And you must never stop walking forward, no matter how painful the road may be." Beno wiped his tears. He wasn''t sure if the pain in his chest had lessened, but something inside him shifted. He bowed his head. "Thank you, sir." A Mysterious Encounter As he stood to leave, the old man suddenly reached out. "Wait. Let me heal you." Before Beno could react, a golden glow radiated from the man''s fingertips. Warmth spread through Beno''s body, his wounds closing, his strength returning in an instant. Beno''s eyes widened. "You¡­ You''re a hunter?" The old man chuckled. "Once, a long time ago. I was an S-rank hunter from China. But now¡­ I just enjoy my retirement." "Titles don''t matter anymore." The old man waved dismissively. "But you¡­ you are about to embark on a long journey. Walk it with courage, young one." Beno bowed deeply. "Thank you, sir. I swear¡ªI will become stronger." The old man smiled. "I''ll be watching, young one. Go¡ªyour path is just beginning." The Rising Star As Beno disappeared into the night, a black Rolls-Royce pulled up in front of the park. A sharply dressed man stepped out. "Master Wong, we''ve been searching for you," the man said respectfully. Wong let out a hearty laugh, his gaze still fixed on the direction Beno had gone. "I was observing something interesting." "What do you mean?" Wong smiled. "A rising star. One that will soon shake the entire world." Luna''s Urgent Discovery Meanwhile, Luna paced anxiously, searching every corner of the city. "Where the hell are you, Beno?" Her phone rang. "Mora?" "Luna, listen. Have you seen Beno Mark?" "No, why?!" Mora hesitated. "An unregistered civilian entered an E-rank dungeon." Luna froze. "So? What''s the big deal?" "The problem is¡­ he looks exactly like Beno." Luna''s heart dropped. "What?!" "His name is different in the records, but Luna¡­ he entered with a party of three hunters." Luna gritted her teeth. "Why did you let him in?!" "That''s not the problem!" Mora''s voice was strained. "The dungeon¡ªsomething''s wrong with it." Luna''s blood ran cold. "It was an E-rank¡­ but the moment they entered, its color changed from blue to dark blue." Luna''s grip on her phone tightened. "That means¡ª" "Yes," Mora confirmed. "Something inside that dungeon isn''t E-rank anymore." The Hunt Begins Inside the dungeon, Beno stood frozen as dozens of hound-like creatures circled them. Their glowing red eyes pierced the darkness, saliva dripping from their razor-sharp fangs. Hunter One cursed. "Are you sure this is an E-rank?!" The female hunter''s voice was shaky. "No¡­ I don''t think so." Beno''s hands trembled. His body screamed at him to run. Then¡ª A deafening howl. From the shadows, a massive three-headed hound emerged, its growl vibrating through the air. Then¡ª It lunged at Beno. To be continued¡­ [End of Chapter 4] What do you think will happen next? Will Beno survive this deadly dungeon, or is he walking straight into a nightmare? Let me know your thoughts in the comments! If we hit 5 comments, I''ll drop a bonus chapter! Let''s keep the hype going! Chapter 5: Baptism in Blood A Desperate Entry Beno Mark stood before the E-Rank dungeon gate, staring at the swirling energy that separated the real world from the unknown. He clenched his fists. This was his chance¡ªhis first step toward strength. Taking a deep breath, he moved toward the gate. But before he could step in, a towering security guard in black combat gear raised a hand, blocking his path. "ID and hunter proof," the guard said flatly. Beno hesitated. "I¡­ I don''t have one." The guard narrowed his eyes. "Then you''re not getting in." Frustration swelled inside him. How was he supposed to become stronger if he couldn''t even enter a dungeon? Beno stepped back, dragging himself toward a nearby tree. He sank to the ground, his back against the rough bark, hands gripping his hair. Was there no other way? He needed to enter. He needed power. As he sat there, lost in thought, his vision blurred with unshed tears, a shadow fell over him. "You look lost," a voice said. Beno glanced up. A girl with a confident smirk and short pink hair stood before him, arms crossed. She wore a black combat suit, a sign of a registered hunter. "Are you a new hunter?" she asked. Beno shook his head. "No." "Then what are you doing here? You get lost or something?" His voice was quiet, but firm. "I want to enter the dungeon." The girl raised an eyebrow. "Why?" Beno''s fists clenched. "To fight those damned creatures and get stronger." She let out a low whistle, a teasing smile on her lips. "Youthful passion, huh?" Then, her expression turned thoughtful. "Well¡­ maybe I can help." Turning, she waved toward a small group of hunters gathered near the gate. "Hey, guys! This is Beno Mark. He wants to help us in the dungeon. What do you think?" An older man, Hunter 1, scratched his chin. "Hmm¡­ actually, we could use an extra pair of hands for carrying mana stones and loot." "But he has no documents," the girl reminded them. A younger man, Hunter 3, frowned. "Then how do we get him in?" Hunter 1 smirked and pulled out a crisp $100 bill. "Don''t worry, I''ll handle it." Approaching the security guard again, he held up the bill between two fingers. "Look, buddy, let''s make this simple. You let the kid pass, and this is yours." The guard''s face darkened. "Bribing a gate officer is against the law." Hunter 1 chuckled. "Come on. Are you really the law''s loyal dog? Or do you want to eat something better than instant noodles tonight?" The guard hesitated, his fingers twitching before finally snatching the money. With a grunt, he stepped aside. "Get lost before I change my mind." Hunter 1 grinned. "That''s more like it." He turned to Beno. "Come on, kid. Let''s go clear this bastard of a dungeon." As they stepped inside, the air behind them shimmered, sealing the gate shut. Above the entrance, the words "Survival: 4/4" glowed ominously. The security guard frowned, his instincts screaming that something was wrong. Then¡ª BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! A piercing alarm went off. "Sir!" another guard yelled, eyes wide with horror. "It''s a Cursed Dungeon Gate!" The guard''s face went pale. A death trap. And they had just let four hunters walk in. A False Sense of Security Inside the dungeon, Beno glanced around. The air was damp and thick with the scent of moss and decay. The walls were jagged rock, forming a cave-like structure stretching into the darkness. "So this is a dungeon¡­" Beno murmured. Hunter 1 nodded. "E-Rank gates tend to have cave structures, but sometimes you get cities, forests, or even islands. It depends on the rank." Hunter 3 smirked. "One day, I''ll be an S-Rank hunter and explore the most dangerous dungeons." Beno felt something stir inside him. "I''ll do the same." Hunter 3 laughed. "Oh really? Then I''ll be the first to reach the top." For the first time in a long while, Beno felt something warm¡ªcompanionship. But that warmth vanished when Hunter 1 muttered, "Strange¡­ it''s been 15 minutes and we haven''t seen a single monster." Hunter Girl frowned. "Yeah¡­ this isn''t normal." Then¡ª A pair of glowing red eyes appeared in the distance. Beno''s breath hitched. "There¡­ look." Hunter 1''s eyes gleamed with excitement. "Hah! You were hiding, bastard? Well, today''s your last day!" Ignoring the girl''s warning, he rushed toward the shadow. The others followed, their weapons drawn. When they reached the clearing, they found¡­ A small, monstrous puppy. Hunter 1 slashed it in half without hesitation. Blood splattered across the stone floor. Hunter Girl''s face twisted in disgust. "That was cruel. It was just a baby." Beno let out a small chuckle. The atmosphere felt lighter. But then¡ª A low, guttural growl rumbled through the cave. The group turned. Dozens of red eyes blinked in the darkness. Then, they stepped into the light. Massive, blood-soaked hounds with iron teeth and thick, matted fur. Saliva dripped from their snarling jaws. The hunters froze. Hunter 3''s voice cracked with terror. "Th-this is an E-Rank dungeon, right?" Hunter 1 swallowed hard. "Take positions. NOW!" Like arrows, the hounds charged. A Bloodbath Begins Hunter 1, the most experienced, moved first. His blade flashed, severing heads and limbs with ease. He didn''t stop, cutting one after another, his sword dripping with fresh blood. But Beno¡­ He was paralyzed. His stomach churned at the sight of torn flesh and severed limbs. His vision swam. Blood¡­ so much blood. He collapsed, vomiting onto the cold stone floor. "Get back, kid!" Hunter Girl shouted, her voice laced with urgency. She raised her hands, and a wave of scorching flames erupted from her palms, colliding with the cave walls. The fire roared, searing through the darkness, melting stone and earth, creating a narrow gap in the rock face. The heat was suffocating, the air thick with smoke and ash. "Get inside! Now!" she commanded, shoving Beno toward the opening. If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Beno hesitated, his eyes darting between the growing wall of hounds and the small gap barely big enough for him to squeeze through. "But¡ª" "No ''but''! We''ll handle this! Just stay hidden and don''t make a sound!" A monstrous howl tore through the cavern as a massive hound lunged forward. The girl barely had time to react, throwing up another burst of flames, forcing the beast back. Beno clenched his fists. Damn it. He hated this. He hated hiding like a coward while they fought. But he had no choice. With a deep breath, he forced himself into the narrow gap, pressing his body against the rough stone, feeling its jagged edges dig into his skin. Through the crack, he could still see them¡ªfighting, struggling, bleeding. And then, the true nightmare began. But no matter how hard he tried to look away¡ªhe saw everything. Hunter 1''s movements slowed. He was out of breath. Then¡ª A massive hound lunged. It clamped its steel jaws around his arm and tore it clean off. Hunter 1 screamed in agony. More hounds rushed in, their razor-sharp teeth ripping into his flesh¡ªtearing him apart, limb by limb. His body was shredded beyond recognition. Hunter 3 fell to his knees. He vomited. "No¡­ no, no, no, no¡ª" A shadow loomed behind him. A 13-foot-tall, three-headed beast emerged from the darkness. The Boss: Houndler. Hunter 3 turned to warn the others, but¡ª His upper body vanished. A sickening crunch filled the air. Hunter Girl screamed in fury. Flames exploded from her hands, burning everything in sight. But the boss didn''t even flinch. It stepped forward. As the monstrous three-headed hound loomed over her, its glowing red eyes burning with hunger, Hunter Girl could barely lift her arms. Blood dripped from her wounds, her body trembling from exhaustion. She had given everything¡ªfought, burned, and bled¡ªbut it wasn''t enough. Her vision blurred, but in that final moment, her gaze locked onto Beno, who was still cowering in the narrow gap she had created. For a split second, it wasn''t Beno she saw. It was her little brother. The same desperate eyes. The same helpless look. The same regret. Memories flooded her¡ªa boy, younger than Beno, clinging to her hand, begging her not to go on that fateful raid. A promise she made to return. A promise she failed to keep. Her lips trembled, but she forced a soft smile, even as the massive beast''s shadow engulfed her. "I saved you¡­ That''s all that matters." Her voice was weak but warm, like a final embrace. "Beno¡­ Be strong." The beast struck. A sickening crunch echoed through the cavern. Her body vanished within the monster''s gnashing jaws, her final expression one of peace. Beno''s heart stopped. His breath hitched. She¡­ saved him. And now, she was gone. Her foot¡ªthe only part of her left¡ªlanded near the gap, blood pooling beneath it. A cold shiver crawled down his spine. His stomach twisted. Tears blurred his vision. She had smiled at him. She had accepted her fate¡­ just to keep him alive. Beno bit his lip so hard it bled, his nails digging into his arms. His body trembled, caught between shock and agony. Why? Why am so weak? Why did I just watch? His breathing grew erratic. His fingers twitched. His mind screamed, but his body wouldn''t move. And then¡­ The three-headed hound slowly turned its gaze toward him. She was gone. Only her foot remained. Beno sank into the blood-covered ground. His hands trembled. "Why am I so weak?" Tears blurred his vision. He was useless. A coward. Outside the Dungeon ¨C Luna''s Fear Luna stood with her arms crossed, anxiously tapping her foot against the ground. The cool evening air carried a sense of unease, but nothing compared to the growing fear in her chest. She had been waiting for Beno Mark and his temporary party to return from the E-rank dungeon, but they were taking longer than expected. The other hunters around the gate murmured among themselves, glancing occasionally at the dungeon display above the entrance. Luna''s gaze drifted upward, scanning the Survivor Count¡ªher heart froze. "1/4." Her breath hitched. One survivor. Three dead. A sharp chill ran down her spine. Her body stiffened, and her fingers clenched into fists. The realization hit her like a hammer¡ªthree hunters were gone. And one was still trapped inside. Her throat tightened. Was Beno the survivor? Or was he among the dead? She didn''t want to believe the worst, but her gut twisted painfully. "No¡­ no, no¡­" she whispered, her voice barely audible. She felt her heartbeat pounding against her ribs, each second stretching into an eternity. A nearby guild official noticed the change in the dungeon''s status and immediately called for reinforcements. "A cursed gate¡­ Shit! We need to send a team in now!" Luna grabbed the man''s arm, her nails digging into his sleeve. "Is there a way to check who the survivor is? Please! Someone is still alive in there!" Her voice trembled, desperation bleeding through. The official hesitated. "We¡­ we don''t have a way to see inside. The only thing we know is that it''s a cursed dungeon. The monsters inside must be far beyond an E-rank level." Luna''s vision blurred with panic. Beno¡­ please, please still be alive. She pressed her hands together in a silent prayer, whispering under her breath, "Lord, if you can hear me¡­ don''t take him away. Please." The red glow of the dungeon entrance flickered ominously, sealing off the horrors within. And inside, Beno Mark was either fighting for his life¡­ or already lost. The hounds turned to Beno. The hunt wasn''t over yet. [END OF CHAPTER 5] "This chapter wasn''t just about a battle¡ªit was about the harsh reality of weakness in a world that only values strength. Beno''s helplessness, his fear, and his pain¡­ do they remind you of anything? Have you ever felt powerless in a situation where you wished you could do more? If you relate to Beno''s struggle, let me know in the comments. Share your thoughts, your experiences, or just your support. Every story has a meaning, and every reader sees it differently. Let''s talk about it! Chapter 6 – The Awakening of Power A Hunter''s Regret Beno Mark lay still, his body barely responding as he pressed his hands against the cold, blood-soaked ground. The air was thick with the metallic scent of death, and the silence was suffocating. He forced himself to move, crawling toward the fallen bodies of the hunters who had fought alongside him. His eyes landed on Ripen, the pink-haired hunter girl who had risked her life to save him. Her lifeless form lay motionless, a deep gash across her torso, her weapon broken beside her. A few feet away was Hunter 1, his watch still intact on his wrist, its screen cracked but still faintly glowing. Then there was Hunter 3¡ªthe youngest among them, even younger than Beno himself. His ID pass had fallen from his hand, and as Beno picked it up, he saw the boy''s smiling face in the picture. "I want to become an S-rank hunter one day,"* the boy had said once, his voice filled with naive determination. Beno''s chest tightened. He gritted his teeth as a sharp pain surged through his leg, but it was nothing compared to the agony inside him. He slowly bowed his head, his fingers trembling as he clenched the ID pass. "Forgive me¡­ I couldn''t save you. I couldn''t even avenge you¡­" The words barely left his lips before his throat tightened, and an overwhelming sense of helplessness swallowed him whole. But he had no time to grieve. His leg was swollen, his body battered, and he had to get out of this cursed dungeon. A Desperate Cry for Help Dragging himself forward, Beno reached the exit of the dungeon, his vision blurred from the pain. He pressed his hands against the cold stone walls, trying to keep himself upright. "Help¡­ Guard¡­ someone¡­ please¡­" his voice cracked as he called out. But there was no response. His breathing grew erratic. "Luna¡­ anyone¡­ please¡­ HELP ME!" His desperate screams echoed through the cavern, bouncing off the walls like a cruel reminder of his isolation. He felt himself slipping, his legs giving out. And then¡ª A deep growl sent a chill down his spine. Beno''s eyes widened as he turned his head, his blood running cold. A hound had heard his cries. The beast''s yellow eyes glowed menacingly in the darkness, its sharp teeth bared as it approached. Beno cursed under his breath. "You piece of shit¡­" With the last of his strength, he grabbed a nearby stone and hurled it at the hound''s skull. The impact was solid, and the beast collapsed, its body twitching. For a brief moment, Beno thought he had killed it. But then¡ª "WOOOOOOOO!" The hound howled in rage, its eerie scream echoing through the dungeon. Beno''s stomach dropped. "No¡­ no, please! I didn''t mean to! Don''t call your damn pack!" But it was too late. A swarm of hounds emerged from the shadows, their hungry eyes locked onto him. They circled him like crows over a corpse, their snarls vibrating through the air. Beno clenched his fists, his frustration and exhaustion boiling over. "I am DONE with this!" With nothing left to lose, he charged at them A Battle Without Strength His fist slammed into the nose of the nearest hound, sending it staggering back. Another beast lunged, clamping its jaws onto his limb, dragging him toward the ground. Beno screamed in rage, the pain tearing through his arm. "Why am I so weak?!" He reached for another stone, this time smashing it into the hound''s eye, causing it to yelp and release him. He stumbled back, clutching his injured arm, his breathing ragged. But there were too many. The pack pounced, biting into his flesh, their sharp fangs sinking deep. Blood splattered across the ground as Beno was torn apart piece by piece. The Breaking Point Pain. It was unbearable. Every fiber of Beno''s body screamed in agony, his skin torn, his bones battered, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His vision blurred as crimson painted the ground beneath him. His limbs trembled, weak and broken. The Hounds surrounded him, their yellow eyes gleaming with hunger. Snarls and growls echoed through the dark, blood-soaked cavern. He could feel it. His strength was fading. His body¡ªfailing. "No¡­" Beno croaked, barely able to lift his head. He tried to move, but the pain stabbed through his muscles like hot knives. His fingers clawed at the dirt, desperate for something¡ªanything¡ªto hold onto. But there was nothing. He was alone. His voice cracked as he whispered, "Please¡­ please¡­ system¡­ awaken me¡­ PLEASE!" Silence. No divine intervention. No miraculous awakening. Just the sound of his own labored breathing and the low growls of the approaching Hounds. A bitter, broken laugh escaped his lips. His breath shaky, tinged with despair. "In the end¡­" he whispered, his vision flickering. "The weak always die¡­ in the world of power." His fingers loosened. His body slumped. And then¡ªdarkness. A hollow void began consuming him, pulling him into its cold embrace. His heartbeat slowed. It was over. The Hounds lunged. Their fangs tore into his flesh¡ªhis arms, his legs, his back. One clamped onto his shoulder, its teeth sinking deep, hot blood spilling down his chest. Another latched onto his thigh, dragging him down, its claws raking through his skin. Pain erupted everywhere. His body screamed in agony, but something inside Memories of the Past Then, like distant echoes, memories began to surface. Renzo. His younger brother, always smiling, always looking up to him. "Big bro! I want to be like you when I grow up!" His relatives. Their scornful glares. Their whispered words. "You''re useless, Beno. A disgrace to the family." His own cowardice. Running away. Abandoning everything. "No¡­ stop¡­" The darkness deepened, swallowing him whole. He was sinking. Falling. Drowning. Then¡ª A voice. A voice so small, yet so powerful it pierced the void. "Big bro¡­ if I''m ever in danger, will you save me?" The voice was innocent, filled with trust. "Big bro¡­ save me, okay?" And then, the final words¡ªwords spoken with pure love. "I love you, Big Bro." Beno''s eyes snapped open. The Awakening A violent storm. A fury buried deep within his soul. Beno roared in pure defiance, his body convulsing as an overwhelming force surged from his core. The air crackled. The cave trembled. A black aura, thick and suffocating, burst from his skin like a raging inferno, swirling in violent tendrils of void and violet energy. The Hounds froze, their bodies twitching in instinctual terror. Their primal minds screamed at them to flee, but it was too late. Beno''s eyes glowed, a burning mixture of violet and abyssal black. His pain vanished. His fear evaporated. All that remained¡ªwas wrath. And the Hounds? They had just become his prey. Beno clenched his fists. His voice, once weak and broken, now rang with fury and power. "I AM NOT DYING HERE!" The battle had just began Beno''s rage exploded, his body moving before his mind could even catch up. A hound lunged¡ªfangs bared, eyes burning with primal hunger. Beno caught its skull mid-air, his fingers digging into its fur. With a guttural roar, he squeezed¡ª CRACK! Bone shattered. Blood splattered. The beast''s head collapsed like brittle glass, and its lifeless body thudded to the ground. A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. The other hounds hesitated, instincts screaming at them to run. But Beno wasn''t done. A second beast lunged for his throat. Without thinking, he snatched its leg, twisting it with monstrous force¡ª RIIIP! The severed limb flew across the dungeon, spraying blood in an arc. The hound collapsed, shrieking in agony, twitching on the stone floor. His body, once weak and trembling, now moved with absolute dominance. No hesitation. No mercy. No fear. Another hound charged. Beno pivoted¡ªhis fist shot forward, connecting with the beast''s snout. BOOM! A sickening crunch echoed as the force of his blow caved in its skull, sending the lifeless corpse skidding across the floor. The surviving hounds began backing away, their tails low, their eyes filled with terror. They turned, bolting toward the altar where they had devoured the fallen hunters. Beno watched them run¡ªand smirked. His fingers twitched. The bloodied ground stirred. Two daggers¡ªonce wielded by the slain hunters¡ªrose from the earth, hovering beside him. A single command. A flick of his wrist. And then¡ª SHING! SHING! The blades ripped through the air, slicing through flesh and bone with inhuman precision. Heads rolled. Limbs flew. Dozens of hounds collapsed mid-sprint, their bodies twitching, lifeless. Silence fell. The surviving beasts trembled, bowing low, their bodies pressed against the ground. Beno stepped forward, his glowing violet and black aura radiating pure dominance. His gaze swept over the quivering creatures. Pathetic. He scoffed, his voice laced with raw power. "Fools. Shut the fuck up." The words struck the air like thunder. A sudden, invisible force crushed down upon them¡ª SKULLS BURST OPEN. A sickening POP! POP! POP! filled the dungeon as heads exploded like overripe fruit, blood pooling in a grotesque display of his newfound strength. The remaining hounds didn''t just fear him now. A deep snarl rumbled through the dungeon. The Houndler Boss, a monstrous Hellhound three times the size of an average hound, and 3 head on body stepped forward, its dark fur bristling with infernal energy. Its molten-red eyes locked onto Beno Mark, filled with raw fury and the primal instinct to kill. Flames dripped from its jagged fangs, illuminating the bloodstained cavern in an eerie orange glow. It didn''t hesitate. The beast lunged, its massive jaws snapping forward, intending to tear Beno''s throat out in a single motion. But Beno was faster. With a sharp pivot, he sidestepped the attack, his movements almost unnatural. As the Hellhound flew past, Beno''s hand snapped out like a viper, gripping the beast by its thick, muscular throat. And then¡ª BOOM! Beno hurled it like a ragdoll straight into the solid rock wall of the cavern. The force of impact shook the entire dungeon, sending cracks racing across the walls as debris tumbled from the ceiling. A deep howl of agony erupted from the beast''s throat as it slammed into the ground, its body convulsing from the sheer force. The Hellhound scrambled to its feet, fury blazing in its eyes. It reared its head back, chest swelling as flames gathered in its maw. A moment later¡ª WHOOSH! A massive wave of fire erupted, roaring toward Beno like a flaming tsunami. Yet¡ª Beno did not move. His gaze was empty. Hollow. Emotionless. Then, with a mere swipe of his bare hand, he cut through the fire itself. The moment his fingers passed through, the flames split apart, dispersing into harmless embers. The dungeon trembled. A crushing aura swallowed everything, warping space itself. Beno Mark floated midair, his crimson aura raging like a storm. Darkness coiled around him, suffocating all who dared stand. Slowly, he crossed his arms. Silence fell. Then, in a voice colder than death, he declared: "Kneel¡­ or bleed." The words weren''t a warning. They were absolute. The Hellhound froze, its entire body shuddering in pure terror. It understood. This was not prey. This was a predator. The monster turned to flee, its instincts screaming at it to escape. Beno smirked. A slow, cruel, merciless smirk. "Behold the power of God." His aura exploded, an overwhelming wave of invisible force that crushed the very air around him. The Hellhound''s body suddenly jerked upward, its limbs flailing as it was lifted into the air against its will. It let out a panicked whimper, twisting and snarling in desperation. But it was already over. Beno clenched his fist. And then¡ª CRACK! The Hellhound''s bones shattered all at once. CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! Its entire body caved in, folding into itself like a tin can crushed by an unseen force. The once-mighty Hellhound was compressed into a grotesque sphere of flesh, fur, and shattered bone, its blood spraying across the altar in a gruesome display. The sickening squelch of the remains hitting the ground echoed through the silent dungeon. Houndler was dead. His lifeless body collapsed, blood pooling beneath him. The once-mighty warrior¡ªreduced to nothing. Beno watched in silence, his face void of emotion, as if death itself was nothing more than an afterthought. Then, in a voice cold and unshaken, he murmured: "Be strong¡­ You were my first prey." He turned away, the weight of his words lingering in the suffocating air. "Glory of the dead." Beno exhaled. His vision blurred. His body trembled. Then¡ª He collapsed, his consciousness fading into darkness. Rescue & Aftermath Outside, Luna''s heart pounded as the dungeon''s status suddenly changed¡ªthe boss was dead. "Beno!" she yelled, activating a one-time-use teleportation stone to enter. The sight before her was horrifying. Corpses. Blood. Mangled bodies. And there, near the twisted remains of the boss, lay Beno Mark¡ªunconscious but smiling. Luna rushed to him, cradling him in her arms, her voice shaking. "Beno¡­ Beno, wake up! Please!" She poured a health potion into his mouth, tears stinging her eyes. He had survived. And more than that¡ª He had awakened. [End of Chapter 6] Thank you for always supporting me, guys! May the gods of plot twists bless you all! And don''t worry¡ªyour Shishu (Teacher) will continue working hard to bring you joy, excitement, and totally-not-traumatizing story moments. (Definitely not trauma... nope, not at all.) Let''s meet again in the next chapter! Until then, stay safe, stay awesome, and prepare yourselves¡ªbecause the real fun is just beginning. Bye-bye~ and may your sanity survive what''s coming! Chapter 7: The Awakening… and the Dreaded Injection Emergency Room ¨C Libeus City Hospital Nurse: "Doctor Roy, it''s an emergency! Dr. Roy (lifting his head from paperwork): "What now?" Nurse: "The patient¡­ he''s back." Dr. Roy (brows furrowed, voice sharp): "Who?" Nurse (panting): "Beno Mark. He survived." For a second, the room fell into silence. Then, Dr. Roy shot up from his chair, nearly knocking over his coffee. His heartbeat spiked as if he had just seen a ghost. Dr. Roy: "Move! Out of my way!" He bolted down the hallway, past stunned nurses and patients, his footsteps echoing through the corridors. --- Hospital Ward ¨C Beno''s Room Beno Mark (grinning weakly):"Hey, Doc." The moment Dr. Roy saw him, a wave of relief, anger, and disbelief crashed into him. Dr. Roy (furious): "You reckless idiot!" Beno barely had time to react before Dr. Roy grabbed him by the collar. Dr. Roy: "Do you have a damn death wish?! Sneaking into a dungeon without telling anyone?! Do you have any idea how worried I was?!" Beno, still groggy, winced at the intensity in Roy''s voice. Beno Mark (rubbing his head): "Uh¡­ sorry?" Dr. Roy: "SORRY?! Look at yourself! Do you even see how wounded you are?! Every damn time, you come back looking worse!" Beno looked down at the bandages wrapped around his arms and chest. He hadn''t even realized the extent of his injuries. Dr. Roy (exhaling, voice softening): "¡­I swear, kid. You pull another stunt like this, and I''ll personally break your legs. You''ll be stuck at home for the rest of your life." Beno (shocked): "Wait, what¡ª?!" Dr. Roy (smirking): "Test me." The nurses in the room stifled laughter, nodding in agreement. Beno (defeated sigh): "Understood, Doc. I''ll behave." --- Luna''s Arrival As the tension settled, the door creaked open. Luna walked in¡ªsilent, carrying a small bag of apples. She didn''t say a word. She simply sat beside Beno, peeling an apple with careful, deliberate movements. Beno Mark: "Hey, Luna." No response. Beno Mark (softer): "Luna?" She continued peeling, but her hands trembled. Beno Mark (guilt creeping in): "I¡­ I should have told you about the dungeon." A single tear fell onto the apple''s surface. Luna (voice shaking): "You¡­ you weren''t breathing." Beno stiffened. Luna (sniffing, still peeling): "You were ice cold, covered in blood¡­ if I hadn''t brought a healing potion¡­" Her voice broke, and the knife in her hand slipped, cutting her finger. Beno (panicking): "Luna!" He grabbed her hand, inspecting the small wound. Luna (tears falling freely now): "I thought I lost you." Beno felt a strange tightness in his chest. He wasn''t used to people crying over him. Slowly, he took her bandaged hand and squeezed it gently. Beno Mark (softly):"I''m sorry. For making you worry." Luna nodded, biting her lip. Beno Mark (smiling weakly): "But I''m not dying anytime soon." Luna wiped her tears and punched his arm lightly. Luna (pouting): "You better not." --- Libeus Investigation Team ¨C Arrival Just as the moment settled, two men in black suits entered the room. Their presence was cold, professional, and suffocating. Man 1 (calm but firm): "Beno Mark?" Beno turned his head, instantly recognizing their uniforms¡ªLibeus Dungeon Investigation Team. Man 2 (nodding):"We''re glad to see you alive and well. May we have five minutes of your time?" Before Beno could answer, Luna stood up, glaring. Luna: "Are you serious?! He''s injured! He needs rest, not questioning!" Beno (raising a hand):"It''s fine, Luna." The investigators exchanged glances before stepping closer. Investigator 1: "We''ll keep this short. We need details about the dungeon you entered." Investigator 2: "A Cursed Dungeon, reportedly D-rank, 4 hunters who entered¡­ died." Except you !? The room fell into silence. Investigator 1:"Yet, you¡ªan unawakened¡ªwalked out alive. And according to reports, the boss was a C-rank monster, a Houndler." Beno''s fingers twitched as fragmented memories flashed in his head. He saw blood. He saw Houndler''s burning eyes. And then¡ªnothing. His mind went blank beyond that. Investigator 2 (lowering voice):"Who killed the boss?" Beno''s lips parted, but no answer came. Because he didn''t know. --- Closing Scene The room''s atmosphere grew heavier. The investigators leaned in slightly, watching Beno''s every reaction. Investigator 1: "Mr. Mark, did you¡ªpersonally¡ªslay the Houndler?" Beno''s heartbeat pounded in his ears. The truth was¡­ he couldn''t remember. But somewhere, deep in his mind, he felt something stirring. Something watching. And for the first time, he heard a voice¡ªnot his own¡ªwhispering from the depths of his soul. ???:"Glory of the Dead." Beno''s breath hitched. Something was very wrong. Consumed by Darkness Beno Mark sat in silence, his thoughts swirling in an abyss of shadows. The voices in his mind whispered, low and haunting. "Glory of the Dead¡­" "Rise¡­" A cold shiver ran down his spine. His body felt like it was sinking, drowning in something unseen. His breath grew shallow as dark tendrils coiled around his consciousness, dragging him deeper¡­ deeper¡­ "What is this?" A strange pressure bore down on him, like a heavy weight pressing against his chest. His vision blurred, and for a brief moment, he felt as if he was standing on the edge of something monstrous¡­ something ancient. Then¡ª SNAP. "Mr. Mark?" The firm voice of the investigator yanked him out of his daze. Beno snapped his head up, eyes wide, realizing he had completely spaced out. Investigator 1 (sternly): "Mr. Mark, are you alright?" Beno let out a breath he didn''t realize he was holding. Beno Mark (shaking his head): "S-Sorry¡­ I was just lost in thought." The two investigators exchanged glances before nodding. Beno''s Explanation Investigator 2 (calmly): "Can you recount what happened in the dungeon?" Beno rubbed his temples, piecing together the fractured memories. Beno Mark: "I¡­ I remember entering the dungeon. It was supposed to be a simple one, but then¡­ something went wrong." His fingers twitched as he recalled the sheer terror of facing the Houndler. Beno Mark (lowering voice): "I saw¡­ a vision of my brother. Renizo Mark. And then¡­ I was dying." Luna tensed beside him. Beno Mark: "I remember the hounds tearing into me. I collapsed, my vision blurred¡­ and the next thing I knew, I woke up in Luna''s arms." He exhaled, frustration evident in his eyes. Beno Mark: "That''s all I know." The investigators were silent for a moment, taking notes. Then, one of them looked up. Investigator 1: "Would you be willing to take a mana test?" Mana Test ¨C What It Means Beno Mark (blinking): "Mana test?" Before the investigators could explain, Luna stepped in. Luna: "It''s a device that measures the mana flow in your body." Beno turned to her, intrigued. Luna (continuing): "If your mana level is higher than the average person, you''re officially recognized as ''Awakened.'' It''s a standard procedure done in hospitals when a kid turns ten." Beno''s expression shifted¡ªhe remembered Renzo''s mana test as a child. His brother had been overjoyed when his mana flow barely exceeded the Awakening threshold. Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. Taking a deep breath, Beno nodded. Beno Mark: "Alright. Let''s do it." The investigator pulled out a small, silver device and placed it on Beno''s wrist. For a few moments, nothing happened. Then¡ª BEEP! A soft glow surrounded the device, and the screen displayed a rapidly increasing number. Investigator 2 (impressed): "Congratulations. You''re officially Awakened." Beno''s heart pounded. He had expected the result, but¡­ hearing it felt surreal. Investigator 1: "Do you see anything unusual? Like a status window, health bar, or system interface?" Beno frowned. Beno Mark: "No¡­ I don''t see anything." The investigators exchanged glances again. Investigator 2: "That''s strange¡­ Normally, those who awaken either naturally or through high mana exposure get access to the System interface." Investigator 1 (handing a card): "If you ever notice anything unusual, contact us immediately." Beno took the card, still lost in thought. Luna''s Explanation ¨C The System''s Rules As the investigators left, Beno turned to Luna. Beno Mark (serious tone): "What''s this about status windows? And why don''t I have one?" Luna hesitated for a moment before sighing. Luna: "Status windows aren''t given to everyone. They mostly appear when someone encounters a Double Dungeon or is forcibly tied to a Dark System." Beno raised a brow. Beno Mark: "So those people become¡­ overpowered?" Luna nodded. Luna: "In a way, yes. They are given specific quests or tasks to complete, and their abilities grow at an unnatural rate." Beno exhaled. Beno Mark: "But for people like you and other hunters¡­ it''s different?" Luna smiled, peeling another apple. Luna: "Exactly. We awaken normally, and our strength increases through training and experience. Killing monsters increases our mana flow, and over time, we can push our rank higher." Beno tapped his fingers against the bed. Beno Mark: "So rankings¡­ how do they work?" Luna leaned forward. Luna: "The ranking system is based on overall mana density. Hunters start from F-rank and climb up. Once you reach C-rank, you unlock a new ability¡ªInventory." Beno''s eyes widened. Luna (grinning): "It''s a special function that lets you store weapons, potions, and other items. And the more mana you gain, the more visible the system interface becomes." She stretched her arms. Luna: "That''s why S-rank hunters can instantly tell who''s weaker or stronger." Beno processed everything. It was a lot to take in. But there was one lingering question. Beno Mark: "So¡­ how do I know what my rank is?" Guild Master Franky''s Arrival A deep, gruff voice cut through the room. "By taking a Mana Stone test at the Guild." Both Beno and Luna turned. Standing at the doorway was a tall, muscular man with a scar across his nose and sharp, fox-like eyes. Luna (surprised): "Guild Master Franky?!" Franky let out a booming laugh. Franky: "Hoohoho! You still listen to me, huh? Good." Beno stared at him cautiously. There was something off about this man. Then¡ªFranky''s golden eyes narrowed slightly, and for a brief second, Beno felt something prying into him. His core. Franky''s expression shifted. A strange look passed over his face¡ªlike he had just seen something he wasn''t supposed to. Franky (calmly): "Beno Mark, you should join my guild." Beno blinked. Beno Mark (startled): "Wait¡ªwhat?" Franky grinned. Franky: "You''re Awakened now. I''d be happy to have someone like you in my guild." Luna''s eyes widened in excitement. Luna: "Really?! He can join?!" Franky chuckled, crossing his arms. Franky: "Of course. I always welcome talented people." Beno''s heart pounded. He clenched his fists, feeling a new sense of determination rise within him. "This is it¡­ My dream of becoming stronger is finally within reach." "I can save Renzo." With a deep breath, Beno looked up¡ªfire burning in his eyes. Beno Mark (firmly): "I accept. Guild Master Franky''s Condition Franky crossed his arms, his grin unwavering. Franky: "Before you get ahead of yourself, kid, you need to pass the guild ranking test."l Beno Mark tensed. Beno Mark: "Guild ranking test?" Franky nodded. Franky: "Once you recover, come to the Guild Hall. There''s a special device for newcomers. It measures your true combat potential and assigns you a rank." Beno absorbed the information, then clenched his fists. Beno Mark (determined):- "Fine. I''ll do it." His eyes burned with resolve. "Just you wait, Renizo¡­ your brother is coming to save you." Franky chuckled. Franky:"Good. That''s the spirit." --- Doctor Roy''s Revenge Just as the conversation ended, a new voice cut in. Doctor Roy: "Alright, alright, enough talking. Now it''s my turn." Beno turned just in time to see the smug doctor holding a large syringe. His eyes widened in pure horror. Beno Mark: "W-Wait¡­ what is that?!" Doctor Roy adjusted his glasses. Doctor Roy: "An injection, of course. You''ve been exposed to all sorts of bacteria and infections in that dungeon. We need to make sure you''re healthy." Beno took a step back, his confidence instantly crumbling. Beno Mark: "W-Wait a second! I''m awakened now, right?! That means I have healing abilities! I can heal myself! There''s no need for an injection!" Franky let out another booming laugh. Franky: "Nope. That''s not how it works, kid. If you want to join the guild, you have to follow basic medical protocols." Beno''s face paled. He looked at Luna, betrayal written all over his face. Beno Mark: "Luna! Help me out here!" Luna smirked. Luna:"uffff, this is your punishment for making me worry all the time." The nurses and other patients in the room burst into laughter. Beno groaned, realizing there was no escape. Beno Mark (muttering): "This isn''t fair¡­" Then¡ª Doctor Roy jabbed the needle into his arm. Beno Mark: "AHHHHHH!"* Luna and the others only laughed harder. Despite his complaints, Beno found himself smiling. For the first time in a long while, he felt a sense of warmth. Surrounded by laughter, teasing, and companionship¡ª It wasn''t just survival anymore. It was a new beginning. --- [End of Chapter 7] As Beno grumbled about the injection, a small, almost unnoticed smile crept onto his face. Doctor Roy, Luna, Franky, and even the other patients were laughing, teasing him. For so long, he had forgotten what this felt like¡ªbeing part of something, being cared for. His mind had always been consumed by thoughts of Renzo, the pain of his past, and the nightmares of that horrific day. But now¡­ Even if just for a moment, he felt like himself again. The old Beno Mark¡ªthe confident, happy one¡ªwas still inside him. And thanks to these people, he was starting to remember that. --- Do you like Doctor Roy? Comment down below! ???? Chapter 8: Stepping Into Strength It had been a week since Beno Mark''s last encounter with the dungeon gates, and Dr. Roy was finally giving him the green light to leave. The room, filled with the smell of antiseptic and the soft hum of medical machines, suddenly felt too small. Beno stretched carefully, feeling the remnants of his injuries, though most of the pain had faded. Dr. Roy stood beside the bed, checking his clipboard one last time before looking at Beno with a knowing smile. "You''re good to go now. Just don''t overdo it, alright? You kind of remind me of my dog¡ªstubborn, but strong." Beno blinked, clearly not expecting the comparison. "Cling¡ªwhat?" Dr. Roy waved it off with a chuckle. "Never mind that. Just remember what I said. If you pull any funny stunts again, I''m making sure you don''t get away with it." Beno grinned, a little tired but amused. "I''ll remember, Doc. Promise." "Good," Dr. Roy nodded, his tone turning more serious. "You''re free to go now. Just take it easy for a while, okay?" Beno stood, a slight wince crossing his face as he moved. "Thanks, Doc. I appreciate it." "All the best, Beno," Dr. Roy said, his smile warm. Beno gave a small nod, trying to hide the weight of everything that still lingered on his mind. "Yeah, I''ll be fine. Take care." He turned toward the door, taking one last look at the sterile room before stepping into the world outside. It wasn''t just a hospital he was walking out of; it was the beginning of something far more uncertain. Next Morning A faint ray of sunlight streamed through the window, resting on Beno''s face. He stirred slightly, groaning as he buried his head deeper into the pillow. His muscles ached from the brutal training he''d forced himself through the night before¡ªhundreds of push-ups, squats, and a ten-kilometer run. It was all part of his plan. Get stronger. Be ready. Don''t be weak. But right now, the only thing he wanted was five more minutes of sleep. Then¡ªBZZZ! BZZZ! His phone vibrated violently on the nightstand. He ignored it. BZZZ! BZZZ! BZZZ! Still ignored. RIIING! A call. This time, Beno grumbled and blindly grabbed the phone, answering without even looking at the screen. "¡­Hello?" His voice was hoarse. "YOU IDIOT!!" Beno flinched and yanked the phone away from his ear. Luna. And she sounded beyond furious. "Where the hell are you?!" she yelled. Beno blinked. "Huh? I''m at home¡­ why?" A pause. Then¡ª"You. Forgot. Again." His half-asleep brain tried to piece together her words. What did he forget? He looked at the time. 9:45 AM. It hit him like a brick. "SHIT!" Beno jolted up so fast he nearly fell off the bed. The Hunter License Test was at 10 AM. "YOU OVERSLEPT?!" Luna screamed. "No, no! I was just¡­ meditating!" Beno lied as he threw on a shirt and scrambled to find his shoes. "MEDITATING MY ASS! Get your dumb self out here NOW! You have FIFTEEN MINUTES!" He didn''t even get to reply before Luna hung up. Panic mode. Beno rushed around, barely managing to tie his shoes properly before grabbing his jacket. He shoved open the door¡ª And froze. A sleek black Noak Guild vehicle was parked right outside. A man in a dark gray uniform leaned against it, arms crossed, watching him with clear amusement. "Took you long enough." Beno stared. "Uh¡­ what?" The man scoffed. "Franky sent me. Said you''d probably screw up and need a ride." He tilted his head toward the car. "Get in. Now. Or don''t. Makes no difference to me." Beno hesitated for half a second before lunging into the car. The door slammed shut, and the driver wasted no time hitting the gas. --- Noak Guild ¨C The Powerhouse of Lebius The drive wasn''t long, but Beno''s heart didn''t settle. Noak Guild wasn''t just any guild. It was one of the Five Strongest Guilds in Lebius Country. A fortress of elite hunters, warriors, and strategists. And somehow, he had been invited. Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings. As they neared the massive structure, Beno gawked. Noak Guild''s towering headquarters stood like a fortress in the middle of Veno City. High steel walls, banners with the guild emblem, and a sprawling courtyard filled with training hunters. The place practically screamed power. Beno swallowed. "Am I¡­ really going to work here?" The driver smirked. "If you pass." The car pulled up to the front entrance. Before Beno could even get out¡ª "You''re late." A familiar voice. Beno turned to see Luna, arms crossed, foot tapping against the pavement. "Not my fault!" Beno defended. "Franky should''ve told me to set an alarm!" Luna scoffed. "Oh, so now it''s Franky''s fault that you sleep like a corpse?" Beno sighed. No winning against her. "Come on," Luna gestured toward the entrance. "You barely made it. The test is about to start." --- Inside the Guild ¨C The Arena of Future Hunters The moment Beno stepped inside, he felt it. The sheer scale of Noak Guild was breathtaking. - A massive hall with marble floors and giant digital boards displaying dungeon missions. - A training ground where hunters sparred, weapons clashing. - A reception area flooded with hopeful hunters waiting for their turn. But what stood out most¡ªthe exam arena. Hundreds of examinees were already gathered, waiting in tense anticipation. Some stretched, others meditated, and a few sized up the competition. A massive screen displayed names, rankings, and upcoming tests. Then, the room went silent. A tall, muscular man with a deep scar across his face stepped onto the elevated platform. Franky. The Guild Master''s presence alone was enough to command respect. He grabbed a mic and spoke, voice carrying across the hall. "Welcome to Noak Guild, weaklings." Silence. "Today, you will either prove yourselves as hunters or go back home as failures. No second chances." His eyes scanned the crowd, lingering slightly on Beno before moving on. "The Hunter License Exam consists of four stages." 1) Mana Affinity Testb¨C An orb that measures raw mana. Too low? You fail immediately. 2) Written Exam¨C Dungeon knowledge, boss strategies, and system mechanics. Fail this? You''re out. 3) Combat Test ¨C One-on-one fights to evaluate real battle potential. 4) Dungeon Survival ¨C A real dungeon raid. Survive, and you might get in. Franky''s eyes gleamed. "If you think this is easy, leave now." No one moved. He smirked. "Good. You have ten minutes before we begin. Eat, piss, or pray¡ªwhatever helps you survive." The room exploded into nervous chatter. Beno let out a slow breath. He could feel his heart pounding. This wasn''t going to be easy. But then again¡­ "Since when has anything in my life ever been easy?" He clenched his fists. It was time to prove himself. Waiting Hall The waiting hall buzzed with excitement as hopeful hunters gathered, eager for the exam to begin. Beno stood among them, stretching his arms, completely unaware of the burning eyes watching him from the corner of the room. A red-haired man, dressed in a long magician''s coat, sat silently against the wall. His posture was relaxed, but his fingers clenched tightly around a crumpled photograph. His sharp gaze never left Beno. "So this is how you live? Carefree¡­ like nothing ever happened?" His grip on the photo tightened, veins slightly visible on his hand. A twisted smirk crept onto his lips. "You disgust me." Beno laughed at something Luna said, completely oblivious to the hatred piercing through him from across the room. The red-haired man let out a quiet chuckle, dark and bitter. Then, he whispered to himself: "I will make sure to kill you¡­ and make you pay for what you did to my life." [End of Chapter] Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this chapter, don''t forget to leave a comment¡ªI''d love to hear your thoughts! Also, a huge thanks for the 5 book collections and 5 power stones! Your support means everything and keeps this story going strong. By the way¡­ what are your theories about the red-haired guy? Who do you think he is, and what''s his connection to Beno? Drop your thoughts in the comments¡ªI can''t wait to see your predictions! See you in the next chapter!